Media OutReach
12th Singapore Media Festival Returns with a Celebration of Asian Creativity, Connection, and Impact
- 55,000+ industry leaders, creator-preneurs, and fans gather in Singapore for 12 days, championing innovation and collaboration
- Over 120 films from 45+ countries, with Singapore stories taking centre stage
- Catch the largest-ever tabletop gaming showcase, and pop culture icons from the Power Rangers to local celebrity Jeanette Aw
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2025 – The Singapore Media Festival (SMF) returns for its 12th edition from 26 November to 7 December 2025, celebrating Asian media that empower, inspire, and connect. Hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), with four partner events: the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), Singapore Comic Con (SGCC), and Nas Summit (NAS), SMF continues to serve as the place for media professionals, leaders, talents, and consumers to experience diverse innovations, forge industry partnerships, and present Singapore’s world-class content.
2. Ms Yvonne Tang, Assistant Chief Executive, Media Industry Group, IMDA, said, “Asia’s media landscape and creative economy is entering a new chapter: one where creators are storytellers, and entrepreneurs and innovators are shaping how stories are made, shared and experienced. The Singapore Media Festival brings these communities together, from film and television to pop culture, gaming, and the creator economy – to turn creative ideas into intellectual property, and intellectual property into opportunity. As new technology and formats transform the way we create, Singapore continues to nurture new voices, strengthen collaboration across borders and disciplines, and provide the launchpad for stories that empower, inspire, and connect.”
Curating Asian stories, fresh perspectives, and closer fandom moments
3. The 36th edition of SGIFF returns from 26 November to 7 December 2025 with an inspiring lineup of over 120 films from more than 45 countries. The festival opens with Girl, a coming-of-age drama written and directed by Shu Qi in her feature directorial debut. Shu Qi will make an appearance at the opening gala at Sands Theatre, where she will be joined by returning festival ambassador Rebecca Lim. SGIFF will feature world premieres of Sandbox, At Home with Work, and Cendol, celebrating local Singaporean stories, alongside over 30 Made-in-Singapore productions. Festival highlights include Amoeba by Tan Siyou (Singapore), a striking portrait of youth navigating Singapore’s rigid social world, and A Useful Ghost by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, a Singapore-Thailand co-production and winner of the 2025 Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prix.
4. SGCC returns from 5 to 7 December 2025 with its largest edition to date, set to spark inspiring fandom moments. Running alongside SGCC, Bandai Card Game Fest will host six major tabletop tournaments across popular IPs, while Collexi Con will feature a dedicated Pokémon Trading Card Game zone. The MONOPOLY Singapore Championship will also take part in the activities, crowning its top three winners live at the event. Fans can explore exclusive collectibles from S.H. Figuarts, Bandai, Hasbro, Threezero, Blokee, Artgerm × SGCC merchandise drops, and more.
5. This year’s expanded gaming and collectibles zones also bring attendees closer to the creators, studios, and innovators behind their favourite worlds. Fans can meet over 40 global and local pop culture icons, including Pink and Red Power Rangers Erin Cahill and Jason Faunt, renowned illustrator Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, known for his comic book covers for Batgirl, Supergirl, and Harley Quinn, legendary comic artist Simon Bisley, celebrated for his work on DC Comics’ Lobo and Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment on Gotham; up-and-coming local comic cover and sketch card artist Kangjing, world-famous Transformers comic illustrator Warrick Wong, and the Pokémon Card Game community’s favourite content creators Sunohara and Kouki Saitou.
6. Joining SGCC this year is the Singapore Games Association (SGGA), which will showcase an SG60 Games Exhibition, featuring 60 homegrown games, including published titles and student projects – 20 of which are available to play at the show floor. SGGA will also launch a collection of SG60 games on global gaming platform Steam, allowing everyone online to celebrate Singapore made games in the comfort of their own homes.
Crafting stories that connect creators, industry leaders, and audiences
7. Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) returns for its 26th edition from 2 to 5 December 2025, reaffirming its position as Asia’s leading co-production and entertainment content market. This year, ATF shines a spotlight on micro-drama, a genre rapidly gaining traction across the region and beyond. The micro-drama focus will feature a dynamic lineup including a keynote session, an elevated panel discussion and a “Micro-drama 101” masterclass by COL Group, curated showcases, and participation from companies actively seeking to acquire and invest in this genre.
8. Attendees can expect engaging conversations with GDH 559, the Thai studio behind Mad Unicorn, and Bamboo Network, a Korean studio driving the micro-drama wave. Global media leaders such as Astro and TikTok Korea will explore new monetisation models, creator eco-systems, and financing needs. Industry giants from DreamWorks to Dentsu will share expert insights while the Adult Animation Lab returns for its third edition, with a fireside chat with Matīss Kaža, winner of the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film Flow.
9. To facilitate co-productions between Singapore companies and international partners on TV series for global audiences, IMDA will also be organising two concept pitches at ATF. One session, focused on scripted series, will be held with CANAL+, while the other will feature unscripted series. A call for concept submissions will open by end-October 2025, with shortlisted projects invited to pitch during the Market. Final details on pitch dates will be announced soon.
Sharing stories to empower the creator-prenuers of today and tomorrow
10. SMF has always been the place where creators are empowered to elevate their craft. This year, the Festival expands its international reach with Nas Summit, returning in a hybrid format featuring interactive conversational panels. Across 1 to 2 December 2025, attendees can learn from over 40 sessions led by global and regional personalities, including international creator and magician Julius Dein, and local creators like local celebrity Jeanette Aw, who will join Nuseir Yassin, aka Nas Daily, at a fireside chat. New this year is a dedicated small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) track, curated just for budding businesses and creator-prenuers – content creators who aspire to leverage AI to spark ideas on creating content for their business to win and scale. Across one whole day, these SME-centric sessions, led by enterprise luminaries like Maor Shlomo, CEO of AI app builder platform Base 44, aim to empower attendees to leverage the best of AI to grow brands and drive impact.
11. SGCC will introduce Industry Day Zero, a new initiative by SGCC and IMDA that brings together creators, studios, and industry professionals to share insights, spark innovation, and build bridges across comics, animation, games, film, and digital storytelling. SGGA will also join SGCC and IMDA in the Day Zero Industry Panel to discuss how the industry can elevate their IP and monetisation models. Separately, SGCC’s Work-In-Progress (W.I.P.) Programme, a platform designed to nurture and empower the next generation of comic storytellers, will now expand to support game developers with a Games Pitch segment, allowing aspiring indie studios and students to present their projects to publishers, mentors, and investors.
12. SMF also brings together opportunities and initiatives to support up-and-coming filmmakers. This year, SGIFF will introduce a new APN+ECG Pitching Forum in partnership with Hong Kong-based independent filmmaker platform Eye Catcher Global, which will help connect regional filmmakers with global distributors, financiers and industry partners. This forum will be part of the three-day SGIFF Industry Days conference, a knowledge-building platform tailored for and by film professionals from Singapore, Asia and beyond.
13. For more details on SMF and its partner events, please visit www.imda.gov.sg/smf. Media materials are available in this digital kit here.
Hashtag: #IMDA #SGMediaFest
https://www.imda.gov.sg/smf
https://www.linkedin.com/company/imdasg/
https://www.facebook.com/IMDAsg/
https://www.instagram.com/imdasg
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Singapore Media Festival
The Singapore Media Festival, hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), is Asia’s premier international media industry platform. Held annually in Singapore, it is the focal point for Asia’s media community, showcasing diverse media innovations, forging industry deals, and presenting Singapore’s world-class content. The event brings together media professionals, industry leaders, creators, and consumers through the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), Singapore Comic Con (SGCC), and Nas Summit (NAS).
For more information, please visit: www.imda.gov.sg/smf.
About Infocomm Media Development Authority
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.
For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg), Facebook (IMDAsg), and Instagram (@imdasg).
Media OutReach
PolyU research teams and startups shine at CES 2026, winning three prestigious innovation awards
Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), remarked, “PolyU is committed to nurturing innovative research talent with both national and international outlooks. We empower our teams by leading them to major international innovation events and fostering close collaboration among industry, academia, research and investment sectors on a global level, creating opportunities for the overseas expansion of PolyU startups. PolyU was the sole university from Hong Kong to exhibit at the event, with its participating teams making up 30% of the Hong Kong delegation, contributing to Hong Kong’s advancement into an international innovation and technology hub. Our record-breaking performance at this year’s CES affirms international recognition of PolyU research and innovation, propelling our teams to continue striving along the path of innovation and technology to create even more profound social impact.”
Leveraging its robust research strengths and its unique startup ecosystem, PolyVentures, the University actively supports its research teams and startups in developing innovative technologies, bringing Hong Kong research achievements to the global stage. The Smart Firefighting Robot, developed by Mr WANG Meng, a PhD candidate of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering as well as Founder of PolyU startup Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited, along with his team, achieved the highest score in the “Products in Support of Human Security for All” category and earned the prestigious “Best of Innovation Award”. The Powered Rehab Skateboard, developed by Prof. Kenneth FONG, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, received an “Innovation Award” in the “Accessibility and Longevity” category. The FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device, developed by a team spearheaded by Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Founder and Chief Scientist of PolyU startup Eieling Technology Limited, also won an “Innovation Award” in the “Digital Health” category.
The three award-winning innovations aim to enhance human security or health through cutting-edge technologies. The AI-driven Smart Firefighting Robot features autonomous patrol, burning materials classification, fire extinguishing and real-time data sharing functions in smoke-filled environments, protecting firefighters and the public simultaneously. The Powered Rehab Skateboard is a portable and cost-effective robotic system that supports home-based and community rehabilitation for stroke patients. The skateboard facilitates motor recovery in hemiparetic upper limbs and allows users to engage in effective therapy. The FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device is the world’s first lightweight intelligent assessment system for fatty liver detection. Weighs only 120 grams, the device can complete fatty liver assessment within 30 seconds, achieving detection accuracy at medical-grade standards.
Organised by the Consumer Technology Association, CES is one of the world’s largest and most influential consumer electronics exhibitions, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies for modern living. This year, CES attracted over 4,500 exhibitors from around the globe. The PolyU startups participating in the exhibition were as follows:
| PolyU Startups | Featured Innovations | Company Representatives |
| AniMed Technology Limited | Contactless real-time AI-driven health monitoring | Dr LYU Weimin Co-founder and CEO, AniMed Technology Limited |
| CyanSE Smart Energy Tech Limited | AI-powered energy optimisation platforms for smart buildings | Ms Amber ZHANG Co-founder, CyanSE Smart Energy Tech Limited |
| DRESIO Limited | AI-powered physiotherapy assessments software solution | Mr Alexander YING CEO, DRESIO Limited |
| Eieling Technology Limited | FattaLab® Fatty Liver Diagnostic Device (CES 2026 Innovation Award) |
Prof. ZHENG Yongping Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, PolyU; Founder and Chief Scientist, Eieling Technology Limited |
| Entoptica Limited | Cutting-edge ophthalmic diagnostic technologies | Dr Mukhit KULMAGANBETOV Senior Research Fellow, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research; CEO, Entoptica Limited |
| Feelings Group Limited | AI-powered computer vision solution | Dr WONG Wing-sze Research Assistant Professor, Department of Language Science and Technology, PolyU; Clinical Consultant and Co-inventor, Feelings Group Limited Ms YIP Chi-hay |
| Gembody Limited | Next-generation portable AI ultrasound system | Ms MAO Qian CEO, Gembody Limited Dr YANG Fan CTO, Gembody Limited |
| ImageVector MedTech Limited | AI-Vision for Joint Degeneration
|
Dr JIANG Tianshu
Executive Director, ImageVector MedTech Limited |
| Immune Materials Limited | Innovative long-lasting antimicrobial self-disinfection materials | Prof. Chris LO Kwan-yu Professor, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, PolyU; Co-founder, Immune Materials Limited Prof. KAN Chi-wai |
| Innobound Limited | Portable smart terminal for emotional interaction, health monitoring and daily living assistance | Ms GAO Lan CEO and Founder, Innobound Limited |
| MedVision Limited | AI-powered medical imaging solution | Prof. CAI Jing Head and Professor, Department of Health Technology and Informatics, PolyU; Consultant, MedVision Limited Dr MA Zongrui |
| Mirror Caring Limited | Knee health management solution | Prof. Stephen WANG Jia Professor, School of Design, PolyU; Founder, Mirror Caring Limited |
| Nuvatech Limited | Next-Gen Fashion OS powered by Multi-modal AI | Mr DENG Yanheng Founder, Nuvatech Limited |
| On-Skin Wearable Technology Limited | Wearable Biomedical Electronic Device | Dr Rayman GONG Founder and CEO, On-Skin Wearable Technology Limited |
| ReSaTech Limited | AI solutions for product reliability | Mr Ricky LAW CEO, ReSaTech Limited |
| UbiquiTech Innovations Limited | Edge-AI robot for autonomous inspection and cleaning in confined spaces | Prof. CAO Jiannong Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, PolyU; Founder and Chief Scientist, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited Dr LIANG Zhixuan |
| Vcare Vision Technology Limited | Non-invasive myopia prevention solution | Dr TANG Yuk-ming Senior Lecturer, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU; Co-founder, Vcare Vision Technology Limited |
| Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited | Smart Firefighting Robot
(CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award) |
Mr WANG Meng PhD candidate, Building Environment and Energy Engineering, PolyU; Founder, Widemount Dynamics Tech Limited |
| XOXO Beverages Limited | Automated Cocktail Machine for improvements event and hospitality efficiency | Mr Nicholas YU Wo-ping Founder, XOXO Beverages Limited |
Hashtag: #PolyU
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Starlight Centre Launches New Program For Students with Autism Entering Mainstream Primary Schools.
Peer Modeling
Starlight Centre has provided specialised care services for children with high-functioning autism from primary 1 to 6 and have supported many students who are now ready to demonstrate positive behaviours from the programmes. Through peer modelling, younger students can observe and learn from their more experienced peers, helping them understand the acceptable boundaries of good behaviour.
RISE™
The Starlight RISE™ Primary School Readiness Program effectively prepares young children for formal education by developing their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills through engaging, play-based activities.
By actively involving parents in the process through comprehensive evaluations and strong partnerships, Starlight Centre aims to make parents feel valued and confident that their child’s development is being supported holistically, beyond just basic skills.
Hashtag: #AutismEducation #SpecialNeedsEducation #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ParentingSupport #StarlightCentre
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Starlight Centre
Starlight was founded by a group of parents and seasoned autism professionals who have experienced first-hand the challenges of finding the most effective therapy programs, preschools, and after-school care services. We understand what you’re going through and are here to help. No matter your child’s needs, come to us, and we will connect you with the right resources.
Media OutReach
Final Weeks to Visit UABBHK 2025 — Explore AI-Enhanced Architecture Before Exhibition Closes on 24 January
Reimagining Architecture as Civic Performance
Under the theme “TECHFORMANCE: Technology, Platform and Performance”, UABBHK 2025 explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the architectural discipline — from static design to dynamic, participatory experience. Featuring over 25 exhibits across two venues, the Biennale brings together architects, designers, artists, and researchers to examine how emerging technologies such as generative design, robotics, immersive media, and machine learning are transforming authorship, spatial storytelling, and public engagement.
Exhibits Worth Revisiting
As the Biennale draws to a close, the curatorial team invites visitors to experience some of the most thought-provoking and visually striking works.
At Oi!, “Sanctum in the AI Age: Redefining the Human-Deities Nexus in Urban Future” by Jessica Kong and Nam Wu offers a compelling exploration of AI-generated shrine designs and spirituality in hyper-dense urban contexts. Nearby, “Island Totem” by Island Works presents a poetic memorial column using water, light, and soundscape to reflect on the overlooked histories and geographies of Hong Kong’s islands.
At EKCC, “Sentient Mirror – Genius Loci” by XCEPT invites visitors to contribute personal memories and emotional data which are transformed into a dynamic “memory-scape” of Hong Kong architecture. “Stone Synergy: AI-Driven Community Housing” by Olivia Chen proposes a design platform that empowers communities to co-create sustainable housing using local materials and machine learning. In “Collaborative Ephemeral Pavilion – Design with Technology”, Prof. Tris Kee and students from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University repurpose metal scaffolding into a community-built pavilion that shares local stories through interactive media. Meanwhile, “Computational BioPhilia: Culture-Nature Synthesis in Biomimicry Fabrication” by Patrick So, Bojia Xiao and Polly Heng presents a biodegradable architectural prototype that nurtures soil regeneration using AI and modular design, blending ecological restoration with digital fabrication.
Upcoming Programmes — Tech Sunday and Guided Tours
On 18 January 2026, UABBHK 2025 will host its final Tech Sunday at Oi!, featuring two sessions. The morning session, “Cultural Identity & Ritual in the AI-Enhanced Urban Realm”, includes presentations by Ashley Wong, Jessica Kong, and Vicky Lam, exploring informal shrines, afterlife economies, and AI-generated flower market futures. In the afternoon, “Craft, Algorithm, and Robotic Fabrication” brings together Kristof Crolla, Garvin Goepel, Su Chang, and others to discuss AI-enabled design and fabrication practices.
To complement the forums, free guided tours are available at both venues on 11 and 18 January. Prior registration is available at UABBHK 2025’s website.
Cross-Border Dialogue Continues in Shenzhen
Beyond the Hong Kong venues, UABBHK 2025 is also being showcased in the Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism Architecture (Shenzhen) (UABBSZ), which has been opened on 31 December 2025, at the Hetao Science and Technology Innovation Center. Themed as “City Theater”, UABBSZ positions Shenzhen as a city of performative stage where architecture, technology, and civic life intersect. In Shenzhen, a symbolic tunnel portal installation of UABBHK 2025 is set, linking Shenzhen and Hong Kong as a gesture of spatial and curatorial continuity.
Exhibition and Admission Details of Hong Kong part of UABBHK 2025
- Venues:
- Oil Street Art Space (Oi!), 12 Oil Street, North Point
- East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC), 60 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Kowloon
- Exhibition Period:
Now until 24 January 2026 - Admission:
Free - Link to free guided tours registration:
https://uabb2025.hkia.org.hk/en/programme
For updated schedules, programme registration, and more information, please visit UABBHK 2025’s website: https://uabb2025.hkia.org.hk/en. For detailed exhibitor list and installation descriptions, please refer to the appendix.Hashtag: #UABBHK
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation is a non-profit making organisation established and incorporated in 2014 for charitable purposes. The objects for which the Biennale Foundation is established are:
- To promote creativity and advance the understanding, appreciation and interest of architectural and design excellence
- To encourage cross-border and cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration among creative professionals from Hong Kong, other parts of the Greater China region and overseas
- To support art, design, architectural and cultural education for students and youth, the community, and policy makers
- To create a favourable environment for study, research and experimentation of design, art and architectural works in an exhibition scale
- To energise and revitalise specific sites of interests by introduction of cultural and creative events
About the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA’s strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
2025 Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Hong Kong)’s Disclaimer:
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
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